Restraint integrated chair cover system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel devices and methods of protecting upholstered chairs for use with individuals, such as young children, who require safety/security restraints. In this regard, the present invention provides a restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) that is engineered to cover the back and seat portions of a chair while simultaneously securing an individual in the chair through integrated restraints.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a US Utility Application that claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/806,620, filed on Mar. 29, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Upholstered chairs with a fabric based seat cushion, such as dining area chairs, have general popularity due to their comfort and style. Unfortunately, these chairs, especially dining area chairs, are therefore highly susceptible to dust, dirt, spills and the like. However, fabric-covered cushions can be difficult to clean, easily stain, and become unsightly, or even unsanitary, without proper protection.

Such chairs are often protected with chair covers. In fact, a variety of covers for protecting upholstery cushions exist in the art, and are commercially available in the marketplace. However, young children, who are notoriously messy eaters, are the biggest offenders of spilling fluids, dropping food, and wiping their hands on whatever is close by, including chair upholstery.

Existing covers are not suitable for individuals, such as young children, who in addition to contributing to the damage to upolstered chairs also require safety/security restraints, which very often come from the use of a separate chair apparatus that needs access to the chair components to ensure security to the chair. The current chair covers, unfortunately reduce or eliminate this access to the chair, and therefore prevent the use of chair covers while simultaneously ensuring the safety of the young child.

As such, there is a need for devices and methods of protecting upholstered chairs for use with individuals, such as young children, who also require safety/security restraints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to devices and methods of protecting upholstered chairs for use with individuals, such as young children, who require safety/security restraints. In this regard, the present invention provides a restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) that is engineered to cover the back and seat portions of a chair while simultaneously securing an individual in the chair through integrated restraints.

Thus, one aspect of the invention provides a restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) comprising an upper cover section operationally associated with a lower cover section, wherein the upper cover section is engineered to cover the back portion of a chair, and comprises a first and a second integrated restraint component, wherein each of the integrated restraint components comprises a latching mechanism, and are designed to provide restraint of a person sitting in the chair when said integrated restraint components are positioned around the person and latched together through the latching mechanisms; and the lower cover section is engineered to cover the seat portion of the chair.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of securing a person in a chair comprising the steps of securing a RICCS of the present invention to a chair; placing a person in the RICCS; and latching the latching mechanisms of the RICCS; such that the person is secured in the chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present apparatus will be apparent from the following detailed description, which description should be considered in combination with the accompanying drawings, which are not intended limit the scope of the invention in any way.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and back perspective views of certain particular embodiments of the chair cover of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A through 2E are expanded views of components of the latching mechanism of a particular embodiment of the chair cover of the present invention shown in FIG. 2F.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are photographic images depicting several perspective views of examples of fabricated restraint integrated chair cover systems of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the realization that the problem of safely securing a person, e.g., a child to a seat and simultaneously protecting the surface of the seat may be solved by a chair cover that includes an integrated system of restraints, e.g., a pair of securing arms. In this way, the arms wrap around the child and safely secure the child to the seat.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to devices and methods of protecting upholstered chairs for use with a person, such as a young child, who requires safety/security restraints. The present invention provides a restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) that is engineered to cover the back and seat portions of a chair while simultaneously securing an individual in the chair through integrated restraints.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a chair cover that will safely secure a child.

It is another object of the invention to provide a chair cover that will comfort a child.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a chair cover that will protect the surface of the underlying seat.

The present invention, including devices and methods will be described with reference to the following definitions that, for convenience, are set forth below. Unless otherwise specified, the below terms used herein are defined as follows:

I. Definitions

As used herein, the term “a,” “an,” “the” and similar terms used in the context of the present invention (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and plural unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context.

The term “chair” is art-recognized, and used herein to describe a separate seat for one person, typically with a back and four legs, e.g., a chair with or without arms.

The term “cover” is art-recognized, and as used herein describes the function of the systems of the present invention, e.g., the cover sections of the system, which lies on, over, or around something, e.g., in order to protect or conceal it. In certain embodiments, this term may include encasing, enveloping, surrounding in whole, or in part, such that the underlying chair surface exposed to potential damage is protected.

The term “engineered” is art-recognized, and is used herein to describe an item that is designed or constructed with the intent or purpose to achieve certain goals.

The language “integrated restraint component” is used herein to describe a restraint component that is incorporated as part of the devices of the invention, and may be contrasted with restraints that would be separate from the RICCS of the invention. In certain embodiments, these restraints are integrated into the upper cover section of the RICCS. This integration affords access for the restraint components to the chair structure, while simultaneously protecting the chair from damage.

The term “latched” is used herein to describe when the latching mechanisms are engaged or connected, e.g., the integrated restraint components are connected.

The language “latching mechanism” is used herein to describe one constituent of a fastening system that may be used to reversibly connect two or more separate connecting constituents together, e.g., integrated restraint components of the invention. In certain embodiments, the latching mechanism may comprise lace, Velcro™, or an interlocking buckle constituent.

The language “operationally associated” is art-recognized, and is used herein to describe items that are associated, connected, or related in such a manner as to sufficiently achieve the intended operation of the items. In particular embodiment of the invention the upper cover section and the lower cover section are associated, connected, or related in any manner that achieves the intention of the RICCS (e.g., connected through a connection means suitable to attach the upper cover section to the lower cover section before or after positioning on the chair; being directly sewn to each other, forming one fluid unit; or being one single piece of fabric).

The language “restraint component” is used herein to describe a component that, when latched with one or more other components, forms a restraint for a person sitting in the chair. In certain embodiments of the invention, the restraint components are located in the upper cover section.

The term “secured” is used herein to describe being restrained in a safe manner, or for safety purposes.

II. Restraint Integrated Chair Cover Systems (RICCS) of the Invention

On embodiment of the present invention provides a restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) comprising an upper cover section operationally associated with a lower cover section,

wherein

-   -   the upper cover section is engineered to cover the back portion         of a chair, and comprises a first and a second integrated         restraint component (e.g., located over the chair back portion         exterior edge, or located more medially on the back portion,         e.g., 20-30% medially from the exterior edge), wherein each of         the integrated restraint components comprises a latching         mechanism, and are designed to provide restraint of a person         sitting in the chair when said integrated restraint components         are positioned around the person and latched together through         the latching mechanisms; and     -   the lower cover section is engineered to cover the seat portion         of the chair.

In certain embodiment of the invention, the upper cover section and the lower cover section are operationally associated through a connection means suitable to attach the upper cover section to the lower cover section before or after positioning on the chair.

In certain embodiment of the invention, the upper cover section and the lower cover section are operationally associated by being directly sewn to each other, forming one fluid unit.

In certain embodiment of the invention, the upper cover section and the lower cover section are operationally associated by being one single piece of fabric, e.g., which may be tailored to afford shape and pattern.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the restraint integrated chair cover system comprises materials suitable for protecting the chair from damage. Such materials may be selected from any material suitable for the intended purpose of the RICCS. In particular embodiments, the materials are fabric selected from the group consisting of stretchable material, waterproof material, easy to clean material, breathable material, and any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the material may be removed from the RICCS and laundered.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the lower cover section further comprises a third integrated restraint component in a location suitable to provide access to the third restraint component, and which is engineered to latch to said first and second latched integrated restraint components. In particular embodiments, the location of the third integrated restraint component is positioned to be centrally located between the legs of the person when seated in the chair.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the lower cover section further comprises a flap with Velcro engineered to secure the RICCS to the chair.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the upper cover section further comprises a pocket designed to fit over the back portion of the chair. In a particular embodiment, the pocket is attached to the upper cover section through Velcro™, a zipper, or it may be sewn directly to the upper cover section.

In certain embodiments of the invention, further comprises an elastic band engineered to secure the RICCS to the chair.

In certain embodiments of the invention, one or more of the integrated restraint components is adjustable. In a particular embodiment, two of the integrated restraint components are adjustable. In another particular embodiment, three of the integrated restraint components are adjustable.

In certain embodiments of the invention, one or more of the integrated restraint components is engineered in a sleeve arrangement. The sleeve arrangement possesses a central channel, or tubular shaped material (e.g., as in a sleeve of a shirt) that may, but does not necessarily, contain a strapping material through it. In a particular embodiment, the restraint integrated chair cover system further comprises a strapping material positioned through the sleeve, wherein the latching mechanism is operationally associated with the strapping material. In a specific embodiment, the strapping material is made of woven webbing.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the first and second integrated restraint components are made from the same fabric as the upper cover section,

In certain embodiments of the invention, the first and second integrated restraint components are made from fabric that is not the same as the upper cover section,

In certain embodiments of the invention, a character illustration is positioned on the upper cover section, the lower cover section, or a combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the first and second integrated restraint components are designed to resemble the arms of the character illustration. In a specific embodiment the character illustration and the resemblance to arms is intended to comfort the child being securely restrained in a chair, e.g., as if being hugged by the character in a comforting manner.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the lower cover section further comprises a booster seat receiving area suitable for receiving a booster seat component designed to fit into the booster seat receiving area and useful for elevating the person sitting in the chair. In a particular embodiment, the restraint integrated chair cover system further comprises the booster seat component, e.g., which may be any insert that fits in to the booster seat receiving area that serves to elevate the person sitting in the chair. The combination of the booster seat receiving area and booster seat may be used to elevate the person to any height (i.e., as safety considerations would limit and/or within the limitation of the height attainable with respect to the size the of the upper cover section), and is designed to be a suitable replacement of a separate booster seat apparatus. In a specific embodiment, the booster seat component comprises a foam pad.

II. Methods of Use of the RICCS of the Invention

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of securing a person in a chair comprising the steps of

-   -   securing a RICCS of the present invention to a chair;     -   placing a person in the RICCS; and     -   latching the latching mechanisms of the RICCS; such that the         person is secured in the chair. In particular embodiments, the         method simultaneously protects the surface of the chair.

The methods of the present invention are suitable for use with young children.

Additionally, some elderly and challenged persons that are at risk of falling from such chair, and could use additional restraint security along with protection from accidents of spills or incontinence while sitting on fabric cushioned chairs. Such persons would benefit from the methods and devices of the present invention

EXEMPLIFICATION

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and which are not intended to be limiting in any way.

In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. A restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) 10 may be a rectangular piece of fabric. In certain embodiments, the fabric is stretchable (e.g., spandex), waterproof, easy to clean, and/or breathable. The RICCS 10 fits over any chair 20, preventing the underlying surface of the chair 20 from being soiled by fluids, food, crafts, or the like.

The RICCS 10 further comprises an upper cover section 12, and lower cover section 16. The upper cover section 12 covers the back portion 42 of a chair 40, and the lower cover section 16 covers the seat portion 44. In certain other embodiments, the lower cover section 16 may comprise a flap 25 with Velcro™ to better secure RICCS 10 to chair 20. The upper cover section 12 of the RICCS 10 further comprises a pocket 22 designed to fit over the back portion 42 of the chair 40. The pocket 22 may be attached to the upper cover section 12 by Velcro™, a zipper, or it may be sewn directly to the upper section 12. In particular, the RICCS is one piece with a pocket that fits over back portion 42 of the chair 40. In one embodiment, an elastic band 30 further secures the RICCS 10 to the chair 40.

A character illustration 24 may be drawn onto the RICCS 10, comprising a top half on the upper cover section 12, and a bottom half on the lower cover section 16. The character illustration 24 may be a variety of characters (e.g., a teddy bear, a tiger, a cat, or a frog), and may designed so that it mimics the character sitting on the chair 40. In this way, and in certain embodiments, the top section comprises the head and torso of the character, and the bottom section comprises the legs.

A pair of arms 18 extends from the middle section 14 of the RICCS 10. The pair of arms 18 may be made from the same fabric as the chair cover 10, but may also comprise other fabrics and materials. The pair of arms may be engineered in a sleeve arrangement. The pair of arms 18 is situated on the RICCS 10 such that it appears to be the arms of the character illustration 24, and may extend from any section of the RICCS 10. The pair of arms can connect to one another via a latching mechanism, which may comprise a lace, Velcro™, or an interlocking buckle.

FIG. 2—For younger children who need to be secured, an adjustable “T” piece 50 made of woven webbing can be inserted in back of cover 51, into “sleeves” of arms 52 and into seat cover 16 to then be secured by fasteners. The arm straps 52 and between the legs straps 53 will latch around the child and keep him or her secure.

If a booster seat is needed to raise the child to a height at which he or she can sit comfortably, a foam piece 60 can be inserted into back pocket 61 of seat cover 16.

Several examples are depicted in FIGS. 3A to 3D, which show several perspective views of fabricated restraint integrated chair cover systems of the invention. FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of a fabricated restraint integrated chair cover system comprising a booster seat component.

In certain embodiments, in use, the RICCS 10 is secured to a chair 20. A child is then placed in the seat of the chair, such that the child is sitting in the ‘lap’ of the character illustration 24. The pair of arms 18 is then wrapped around the child and secured via the latching mechanisms. The pair of arms “hugs” the child, but also keeps them safe in the chair. In this way, the child is safely and securely attached to the chair, and simultaneously comforted by the image of the character illustration 24.

Incorporation By Reference

The entire contents of all patents, published patent applications and other references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Equivalents

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents were considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the following claims. Moreover, any numerical or alphabetical ranges provided herein are intended to include both the upper and lower value of those ranges. In addition, any listing or grouping is intended, at least in one embodiment, to represent a shorthand or convenient manner of listing independent embodiments; as such, each member of the list should be considered a separate embodiment. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) comprising an upper cover section operationally associated with a lower cover section, wherein the upper cover section is engineered to cover the back portion of a chair, and comprises a first and a second integrated restraint component, wherein each of the integrated restraint components comprises a latching mechanism, and are designed to provide restraint of a person sitting in the chair when said integrated restraint components are positioned around the person and latched together through the latching mechanisms; and the lower cover section is engineered to cover the seat portion of the chair.
 2. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 1 comprising materials suitable for protecting the chair from damage.
 3. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 2, wherein the materials are fabric selected from the group consisting of stretchable material, waterproof material, easy to clean material, breathable material, and any combination thereof.
 4. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower cover section further comprises a third integrated restraint component in a location suitable to provide access to the third restraint component, and which is engineered to latch to said first and second latched integrated restraint components.
 5. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 4, wherein the location of the third integrated restraint component is positioned to be centrally located between the legs of the person when seated in the chair.
 6. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower cover section further comprises a flap with Velcro engineered to secure the RICCS to the chair.
 7. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the upper cover section further comprises a pocket designed to fit over the back portion of the chair.
 8. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 7, wherein said pocket is attached to the upper cover section through Velcro™, a zipper, or it may be sewn directly to the upper cover section.
 9. The restraint integrated chair cover system (RICCS) of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an elastic band engineered to secure the RICCS to the chair.
 10. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one or more of the integrated restraint components is adjustable.
 11. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one or more of the integrated restraint components is engineered in a sleeve arrangement.
 12. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 11, further comprising a strapping material positioned through the sleeve, wherein the latching mechanism is operationally associated with the strapping material.
 13. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 12, wherein the strapping material is made of woven webbing.
 14. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first and second integrated restraint components are made from the same fabric as the upper cover section,
 15. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first and second integrated restraint components are made from fabric that is not the same as the upper cover section,
 16. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a character illustration is positioned on the upper cover section, the lower cover section, or a combination thereof.
 17. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 16, wherein the first and second integrated restraint components are designed to resemble the arms of the character illustration.
 18. The restraint integrated chair cover system of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the lower cover section further comprises a booster seat receiving area suitable for receiving a booster seat component designed to fit into the booster seat receiving area and useful for elevating the person sitting in the chair.
 19. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 18 further comprising the booster seat component.
 20. The restraint integrated chair cover system of claim 19, wherein the booster seat component comprises a foam pad.
 21. A method of securing a person in a chair comprising the steps of securing a RICCS of any one of claims 1 to 20 to a chair; placing a person in the RICCS; and latching the latching mechanisms of the RICCS; such that the person is secured in the chair.
 22. The method of claim 21, simultaneously protecting the surface of the chair. 